A Secondhand Murder by Lesley A. Diehl

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Spunky and outspoken Eve Appel moves from Connecticut to rural Florida intent on starting a new life, free of drama, and more importantly, her soon-to-be ex-husband. The rural Florida town of Sabal Bay, situated only an hour from West Palm, proves to be the perfect spot for her consignment store. Thanks to the recent economic downturn, Florida’s society matrons need a place to discreetly sell their stuff and pick up expensive-looking bargains. But Eve’s life, and her business with it, is turned upside down when a wealthy customer is found stabbed to death in a fitting room.

As accusations fly and business slows, Eve decides to take matters into her own hands. With the help of an unlikely bunch of friends–including her estranged ex, her best friend, a handsome private eye, and a charming mafia don–she struggles to find answers and save lives. Through a maze of distorted half-truths, dramatic cover-ups, and unrequited passions, Eve learns just how far the wealthy will go to regain what they have lost.

A Secondhand Murder is Book 1 of the Eve Appel Mystery Series.

Eve is happy living in rural Florida far away from her cheating and calculating husband.  She opens a high end consignment store with her best friend Madeleine.  Things are looking up as customers come pouring into her store on opening day.  Then Eve looks in the dressing room and finds one of her customers stabbed to death.

Life starts to get messy as the police suspect Eve, especially after they learn of her connection to the victim.  Just when things are looking grim, sexy private investigator Alex shows up.  While he is as arrogant as he is attractive, Eve can’t help wondering just how hot things can get.

As if her life can’t get any worse, he husband shows up with divorce papers and tells hers that he got a mafia dons daughter pregnant.  Eve can’t wait for the police to find the real killer so she begins to do some investigating of her own.

There were so many characters and clues introduced into the story along the way that I had no idea who the killer was until the end.  While I found some parts to move a little slow, over all this was an enjoyable cozy mystery.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

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